CLINICAL TRIALS

Clinical Trials of Corneal Collagen Crosslinking (CXL) for Keratoconus and Ectasia Now Available

At The CLEI Center for Keratoconus, we are currently conducting clinical trials of corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL). The clinical trials are designed to study the benefits and safety of corneal collagen crosslinking in patients with either keratoconus or corneal ectasia after previous refractive surgery. The goal of CXL is to decrease the progression of these corneal thinning disorders.

We have been participating in CXL treatments in formal clinical trials for over four years and have performed more than 200 procedures to date. See www.clinicaltrials.gov for general information regarding clinical trials, and see CXL and CXL/Intacs and Transepithelial CXL for specific information on the crosslinking studies available at the CLEI Center for Keratoconus.

CORNEAL COLLAGEN CROSSLINKING (CXL) BACKGROUND

Collagen crosslinking using ultraviolet (UV) light combined with riboflavin (Vitamin B2) is an investigational procedure currently being performed in Europe and elsewhere outside the United States. It is not approved for general clinical use in the United States. However, here at the CLEI Center for Keratoconus, we are carrying out formal studies of CXL that are being conducted under FDA guidelines. The goal of our studies are to assess the safety and efficacy of crosslinking for the treatment of keratoconus as well as corneal ectasia after LASIK.

The primary goal of collagen crosslinking in the keratoconic patient is to strengthen and stiffen the corneal fibers in order to decrease the progression of keratoconus, and to decrease the cone steepness in some patients. The safety and efficacy of crosslinking, as yet, is unclear, although results from U.S. and European studies are encouraging.

THE CROSSLINKING PROCEDURE

CXL is performed at the state of the art CLEI Center for Keratoconus by Dr. Peter Hersh. Anesthesia drops keep you comfortable and a lid retainer prevents you from blinking. The surface epithelial cells of the cornea are then removed and riboflavin drops are administered for 30 minutes. The riboflavin acts both to enhance the crosslinking effect and to protect the rest of the eye from the UV exposure.

The patient then looks at a UV emitting light (wavelength = 365 microns, power = 3.0 mW/cm2) for 30 additional minutes with continued administration of riboflavin drops. At the conclusion of the procedure, a soft contact lens bandage is applied. The contact lens is left in place to improve healing for approximately 5 days and is then removed. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops are used for two weeks afterwards.

Please see below for details of our current crosslinking trials and articles written by Dr. Hersh and staff on crosslinking and results thus far. We are currently enrolling patients for our clinical trials. If you have an interest or have any questions, please call our office at 201-883-0505.

INTACS-CXL

CLINICAL TRIAL OF CORNEAL COLLAGEN CROSSLINKING AND INTACS FOR KERATOCONUS AND ECTASIA
We are currently enrolling patients in a clinical study looking at the effectiveness of combined Intacs and corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) in patients with either keratoconus or corneal ectasia after previous LASIK. This trial will evaluate the benefits and safety of a combined Intacs and CXL procedure. The second objective of the study is to compare the timing of the 2 procedures on clinical outcomes.
For further information and inquiries about this Keratoconus crosslinking study, please call 201-883-0505 or email info@vision-institute.com.

We are currently enrolling patients in a clinical trial of corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) for keratoconus and corneal ectasia after previous refractive surgery. The objective of this study is to investigate any difference between 2 riboflavin preparations during UV administration. The first preparation contains riboflavin in a dextran solution, which may tend to draw water out of the cornea and keep it thinner. The second preparation contains riboflavin in a hypotonic (low salt) solution without dextran, which may tend to keep the cornea more swollen. The primary goal of the study is to see if the use of hypotonic riboflavin (rather than riboflavin with dextran) better maintains consistent corneal thickness during UV administration. The second goal of the study is to determine if better maintenance of corneal thickness potentially could have benefits of better consistency of the procedure, decrease in corneal haze formation, and improved safety of the endothelial cells.

TRANSEPITHELIAL CXL

CLINICAL TRIAL OF TRANSEPITHELIAL CORNEAL COLLAGEN CROSSLINKING

We are pleased to announce a new clinical trial of transepithelial corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) for keratoconus and corneal ectasia after previous refractive surgery. This study compares two variants of transepithelial crosslinking, otherwise know as “epi-on” crosslinking. All subjects will undergo pre-treatment with a topical anesthetic (to improve riboflavin absorption) and riboflavin 0.1% for 60 minutes. During UV irradiation, subjects will be randomized to receive one of two treatments - administration of riboflavin every 1 minute with UV light or administration of riboflavin every 2 minutes with UV light. The primary goal is to evaluate efficacy of the two transepithelial procedures. The second goal is to determine if there is equivalency between groups.
Transepithelial crosslinking, in which the epithelium is not removed, has been proposed to offer a number of advantages over traditional crosslinking including an increased safety profile by reducing the risk of infection as no epithelial barrier will be broken, faster visual recover, and improved patient comfort in the early postoperative healing period since re-epithelialization is not required.

Dr. Hersh and the CLEI Center for Keratoconus are pleased to announce a new clinical trial of the The Vedera KXS Microwave System with Corneal Collagen Crosslinking (Keraflex). This study compares this treatment to corneal collagen crosslinking alone. All patients in the study will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups (either Keraflex and Crosslinking, or Crosslinking alone). Keraflex is a non-incisional procedure designed to flatten the cornea in keratoconus. During the Keraflex procedure, the Vedera KXS delivers a single low energy microwave pulse lasting less than a second. The energy is applied to the cornea using a microwave emitter which contacts the surface of the cornea. This raises the temperature of the selected region of the cornea, shrinking the collagen and forming either a a circular or semicircular application spot in the upper region of the cornea around the keratoconic cone. This results in reshaping of the cornea, with the goal of flattening the cone in keratoconus. The Keraflex procedure is done using a topical anesthetic drop for comfort. In the corneal collagen crosslinking procedure, the surface epithelial cells are first removed and riboflavin drops are then administered. This is followed by UV light application. Generally, a contact lens bandage is applied to aid in healing and comfort after the procedure.

For more further information, please call 201-883-0505 or email info@vision-institute.com

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.by Peter Hersh